Foundation

Foundation ODULE

I
Concepts
Concepts
M

on
on
Journalism
Journalism
Time Table: 1 hour
Topic Learning Outcomes:

a. Identify the tenets of journalism

b. Name the functions and duties of the press
c. Compare and contrast journalism and literature
d. Explain freedom of the press
e. Critic the strengths and weaknesses of select articles

Enabling Activity

Welcome! This will be the first module you will read in the subject CAMPUS JOURNALISM
(ENGL330). Due to the pandemic infesting many part of the world today, our school opted to adjust and
present our mode of distance learning – through modules! Before we start with our first lesson, let’s warm
up first, shall we?
Below is a spider web with the word “Journalism” in the middle. Write as many words you can
relate to the it. Make sure to include 1-2 sentences to explain why you think your words are related or
connected to a professional teacher. Write your answer in a one whole sheet of paper.

Journalism

Deepen!
Scope and Nature of Journalism
Before getting into the skills of writing journalistic articles, anyone must have a fixed understanding
of the scope of modern day journalism. Huge as it is, journalism is everywhere, just as media takes an
integral part in all of our lives. Where there is Ilk media, journalism exists. As a field that is worth working,
journalism is one of the most prestigious careers one can get today. The tools of communication and
technology are television, the printed media and radio. The internet is a more recent addition to this list.
Many students are getting attracted to this field nowadays because a career in journalism can be
challenging as well as highly rewarding.

Journalism is concerned, primarily, with the collection and dissemination of news through the print
media as well as the electronic media (http://entrance-exammeilscope-of-journalism/). This involves various
areas of work like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items. It
covers the printed media that comes in the form of broadsheets, tabloids, newsletters and magazines.

As regards its etymology, journalism comes from the Latin word, diurnal, which means daily. That
is why there is the word journal — a daily register of one's activities. Hence, journalism is a communication
of day-to-day information, whether through sounds, pictures and words. Few places where journalism may
appear include newspapers, magazines, televisions, radios and the internet.

Newspapers are the oldest and most traditional format for the inclusion of journalism. They are
regularly scheduled publications containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features
and advertising. Indeed, newspapers originally started life as 'journals', from which the word 'journalism' is
derived. During the 19th century, American journalists relied on sensational stories that were used to excite
or anger the public, rather than to inform them. This form of journalism became known as `yellow'
journalism. Accurate and fact-based reporting became popular again around the time of World War II, when
the restrained style of writing gained resurgence. Newspapers played a large role in the development of
freedom of expression. Inside sources with the ability to 'leak' stories to the press often choose newspapers
first over any other medium due to the perceived willingness of their editors to expose corruption and lies
among otherwise respected institutions.

Magazines, on the other hand, are publications containing a variety of articles that are generally
published on a regular schedule, whether it be weekly, monthly or quarterly. They usually take a much
more relaxed format than newspapers, with a more informal style to their writing. They are also usually
focused on a particular subject or area of interest, whereas newspaper articles can cover almost any topic.
First published in 1731 in London, The Gentleman's Magazine is considered the first general-interest
magazine. Its editor, Edward Cave (who wrote under the pseudonym `Sylvanus Urban'), was one of the
very firsts to use the term 'magazine'.

Television news journalism, including radio, is known as news broadcasting and is produced locally
in a newsroom or by a broadcast network. It sometimes also includes such additional material as sports
coverage, weather forecasts, traffic reports, commentary, and other material that the broadcaster considers
relevant to the intended audience. Most major television channels offer regular news broadcasts throughout
the day.
 Internet communications have excelled in the last decade or so of course, taking the way news is
published with it. There are now an uncountable of reputable and not-so-reputable sources of information
on the internet. Everything from digitized versions of the very newspapers that headed up the first print
media movements hundreds of years ago, to independent bloggers reporting their own stories from the
comfort of their own laptops. Because of this, opinions are much easier to come by, and users can seek out
the same story from multiple sources to get more of a balanced view more than they ever could in the past.
These make the scope of journalism to be very broad indeed, as almost every form of media these days
can be used as an expression of opinion or conduit of information.

Journalism versus Literature

All journalistic ventures are grounded on facts, on truth and on actuality. Redundant as it may, facts
are the foundation of all the ambits of journalism.

Journalism and literature are both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have relative style.
They may be guided by set rules. Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a writer. It is
categorized into prose and poetry. Journalism, on the other hand, has main genres that include news,
editorial and features. Journalistic genres follow the strict method of dividing ideas through paragraphs
while literature has a variety of forms and styles.

For instance, Jonas, a writer, wishes to come up with a story about ghosts. He now starts
imagining the appearance of the ghosts and creates a plot which includes the conflict, the climax and the
resolution of the conflict. Jonas is writing a literary piece.

Marla, on the other hand, also writes about ghosts. However, before she starts writing about them,
she interviews persons who have allegedly seen them. The appearance of ghosts, including the persons'
beliefs about them, is written into an entertaining way. Hence, the output is packed with facts.

In this case, Jonas writes a literature, a short story in particular while Marla does a feature story, a
journalistic article. Jonas writes based on his imagination while Marla writes based on facts.

Tenets of Journalism
Going into the road of journalism entails not only knowledge but also responsibilities. Hence, their
journalists are bound by strict guidelines. Journalists have rights, but they must bear on shoulders the
duties to serve the interest of the public.

1. Responsibility. Journalists should always be aware of their obligations to their readers to write
the truth whatever it costs. For this reason, journalists must be brave enough to defend facts
and the truth behind the news. In this sense, the journalists' main responsibility is to be the
transmitter of veracity in any issue, and that they are liable not to the company but to the
public.

2. Freedom of the Press. As a basic right, freedom of the press should be safeguarded by the
people of media. In this case, any topic under the sweltering heat of the sun may be written so
long as there is no infraction to the existing laws of the land.
 3. Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing the welfare of the
general public is a clear violation of this tenet. It, therefore, means that the services of a
journalist should be committed to the interest of the general public and not driven by the
interest of money called "envelopmental journalism."

4. Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data and information before
they are published is an example of being accurate and truthful. Since facts are the solid
foundation of journalism, media men should not therefore conceal the truth by fabricating facts
and by publishing misquoted statements and erroneous statistics.

Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conflicts of interest on the treatment of the articles
and on the way arguments and news are written.

Partisan news and biased interviews violate the ideals of journalism; ergo, a journalist should know
the difference between news and opinion. Readers and journalists alike, believe that newspapers should be
objective. Thus, reporters receive training from those who know journalistic rules, and learn to resolve
whatever conflict they may have.

Teel and Taylor (1983), as cited by Pangilinan (2012), suggested guidelines to attain a balanced
story whenever journalists face controversial issues.
a. Stick to the facts.
b. Never insert your personal opinion.
c. Be discreet in the use of adjectives.
d. Avoid cheap shots.
e. Somebody with something to say deserves a forum.
f. Assess your alliances. Remember that you are an observer, not a participant.
g. Listen to your editor.

5. Fairness. The whole point in advocating objectivity is to be fair in presenting information in any
journalistic field. Remember, the public will see the topic according to the way journalists
present it; hence, reporters should exercise telling the truth and putting information in the right
perspective.

In this vein, journalists should always present both sides of the coin, both sides of the argument,
both sides of controversial issues. They should set both avenues for the opposing parties to ventilate their
arguments and points of clarification. With this in mind, journalists, too, must respect the privacy of
individuals, unless, there is a warrant of a public right. In case there is a mistake, true journalists should
rectify the said error, thus the errata in newspapers.

Kinds of Balanced Reporting

There are worthy concepts that novice journalists must be wary about. Concepts that kill balanced
reporting must be avoided.

1. Yellow Journalism. This is simply sensationalizing a story or an issue. It is a type of journalism

that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching
headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events,
 scandal-mongering or sensationalism. Most showbiz stories are grounded on this type of
journalism which appeals to the curiosity of the readers and viewers.
2. New Journalism. The new journalists expanded the definition of journalism and of legitimate
journalistic reporting and writing techniques. They also associated journalism with fiction when
they described their work with phrases such as "nonfiction novel" and "narrative techniques of
fiction." In so doing, they ignited a debate over how much like a novel or short story a
journalistic piece could be before it began violating journalism's commitment to truth and facts.
This approach represents a return to the roots of social reporting which was used in Charles
Dickens' fiction.

3. Advocacy Journalism. This is a genre of journalism that, unlike propaganda, is fact-based but
supports 'a specific point of view on an issue. Advocacy journalists are expected to fbcus on
stories dealing with corporate business practices, government policies, political corruption and
social issues. Arguably, advocacy journalists serve the public interest in a way similar to
muckrakers or whistle blowers. Most advocacy journalists reject the supposed objectivity of the
mainstream press as a practical impossibility, and some others take the position that the
economic censorship exerted by corporate sponsors is no different from political censorship.

4. Stylistic Journalism. It emphasizes imaginative, stylized writing of stories and considers

newspapers as "the literature of immediate fact." 5. Editorializing. This is giving the reporter's
opinion rather than the fact. It may also mean the expanding of news about an insignificant
happening to give publicity to a subject.

Functions and Duties of the Press

If you have fully made up your mind to go into the path of journalism and the media, you have to be
acquainted with your vast roles and primordial functions.
1. The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in the editorial policy. It is more than just a
business because it also reflects and influences the life of the whole academic community.
2. Newspapers must have integrity and readers' confidence.
3. Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or entertain. It is therefore a moral responsibility to
balance public interest and the gains.
4. The fundamental quality of the newspaper rests on the quality of the content and the kind of
editorial product. It is responsible for the rise of the readers' educational level and resurgence
of an articulate, active young generation.
5. Freedom of the press encompasses responsibility of the newspapers. Freedom of the press
and responsibility are inseparable. Responsibility of the press means truth in the news — truth
tempered with mercy, decency and humility.
6. The press must practice the principles of journalism without bias and self-interest.

Limitations of the Press

Pulitzer prize-winning author David Broeder (USA Today, Aug. 12, 1987) as cited by Pangilinan
(2012), averred that reports are flawed. Hence, reports are not that complete and may bear mistakes. The
limitations of the press may be traced upon the timeframe within which an article should be submitted for
publication. Remember that journalism secures the freshness of the information. Therefore, when a
journalist is in a hurry to beat the deadline, he may not have enough time to reach all the sources of
information. Subsequently, reporters will be unable to present the story in as many perspectives as a
journalist should showcase.
This implies that readers or the information-consuming public should judge very critically the
articles, the reports, including the photos. Readers should know how to ask questions that are left
unanswered, in the same manner when journalists dig for facts and additional information.

Another limitation of the press is its proneness to be manipulated by the powerful, the elite and the
politicians. Broeder (1987) as cited by Pangilinan (2012) pointed “...every good politician will attempt to
work well with the press. If you live in a country where public opinion ultimately decides public policy any
politician who is at all serious is going to try to manage public opinion, and that means working with the
press. So they all do it.”

Main Task
Instruction: Do the given task below. Make sure to follow the instructions given properly. Your output will be
graded based on the rubrics seen in your syllabus (refer to the “Graphic Organizer Rubric”).

TASK 1:

Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the nature of journalism from the scope of literature.
Illustrate your answer in a long bond paper.

Literature Journalism

_____________________ ________ ______________________

_____________________ _____________ ______________________

_____________________ ______________ ______________________

_____________________ _____________ ______________________

______________________ __________ ______________________

______________________ ___ _____________________

TASK 2:

ESSAY. Argue in not more than 200 words but not less than 150 words whether the freedom to
write is an absolute freedom. Cite concrete instances, if possible. Write your answer in a one whole
sheet of yellow paper.
 TASK 3:

Get three articles from a daily newspaper. Using the T-chart, assess the articles according to the
tenets of journalism. Make sure you include the picture of the articles you chose with your output.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

Reinforcement Activity
Instruction: Using the following guide questions, analyse a daily newspaper.

a. What seems to be the political link of the paper? Show your pieces of evidence?
b. Is it radical, liberal, conservative, reactionary? City your reasons.

The
The Campus
Campus Paper
Paper ODULE

II
and
and the
the Publication
M
Publication
Staff
Staff
 Time Table: 1 hour
Topic Learning Outcomes:

a. Identify the duties of members of the editorial board

b. Distinguish the functions of campus paper
c. Critic the characteristics of magazines and newspaper

Enabling Activity

Congratulations! You made it through Module 1! 10 more to go and we’ll be done (lol)! But really,
it’s not going to be difficult. It may look a lot, but I promise all of this will be very helpful, especially in taking
the Licensure examination for Teachers (and even as an English teacher in the future)! So, let’s move on to
the next module, shall we?

Fill the K-W-L chart below with what you know about this lesson.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

Deepen!

Scope and Nature of Journalism

The National Newspaper Before delving on campus paper, it is wise to start the discussion on a
supra level. This is for you to understand primarily the concept of the system that campus paper has.

Thus, a newspaper is a publication sold and distributed regularly in a fixed interval. It may be
monthly, bi-monthly, weekly, daily, etc. and this is because newspapers fall under the category
"periodicals." Usually, news in newspapers is meant to be persuasive, and this is why some news includes
opinions and comments that stimulate reactions from the readers. Another latent function of newspapers is
to entertain by the use of photos, cartoons, quizzes and other interesting features.

While papers published every day are called dailies, we call those which are published weekly
weeklies. National papers are widely available and easily bought. National papers fall under two categories:
the popular paper and the heavy or quality papers. Popular papers present their news in a lively fashion
with easy-to-read articles and many photographs. Heavy or quality papers are printed with longer articles
stressing on important and serious events in the country.

Some newspaper publishers produce Sunday papers sometimes, with the same nameplate as the
daily papers. These are not Sunday editions of the dailies but instead, they are of different editors and
editorial staff. The reason behind this is the availability of more people to read during Sundays. The price of
the Sunday paper tends to be higher than the regular paper, but it contains more news.

The Campus Paper

The Campus Paper is the version of the national newspaper within an academic institution. In other
words, it is a pioneer in the publishing industry as a free newspaper of the students by the students and for
the students to circulate within the academic community. The Campus Paper may broaden its reach like
the community and other agencies in the society.

With the advent of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, otherwise known as Republic Act
Numbered 7079, the establishment of campus publication in basic education and in higher learning
institutions has been legalized.

Since the campus paper is run by the students, they have the chance to simulate the daily
newspaper's characteristics at the same time act as journalists in their own fields. It should be noted that
the campus paper is contextualized within the institution; hence, priority issues should emanate from the
institution before touching local, national and international concerns.

It is observed that the size and frequency of the paper vary, depending on the policies of the
editorial board, the fund or publication budget and the population of the learning institution. There are
higher learning institutions which collect a campus paper fee that can finance a semestral release of a
newsletter, a tabloid, a magazine, a broadsheet and sometimes a literary folio. The school, too, may decide
to release a special edition of its publication or organ during intramurals and foundation days or on any
special occasions. In many instances, though, school papers under the Department of Education opt to
release newsletters due to the consideration of the fund, the population and the scope.

What should go into the Campus Paper?

Campus journalism serves as a means to strengthen the ethical values and to encourage the
creative and critical thinking of the Filipino youth. It also helps in developing the personal discipline and
moral character of the young.

Campus Journalism is one of the most effective means of teaching students the basic and
advanced writing techniques and inculcating in them the values of work and fair judgment. It is a good
training ground for future journalists or for writers. Through the school paper, student writers are able to
develop their skills and enhance their craft.

Moreover, with campus paper, both the campus journalists and the target audience are helped
appreciate the role of the press in shaping public opinion. Primarily, the campus paper promotes the best
interest not only of the students but also of the faculty and the administration. The paper is a conduit for the
pleasant and wholesome relationship between the teachers and their students. It is an avenue where
students ventilate their opinions, including their grievances. In fact, many school papers in higher learning
institutions maximize these functions.

Today, the campus paper has become an avenue to expose anything against anyone. This brings
problems with the editorial board's security of responsibility, objectivity and fairness. Student writer may
write about as is anything; they observe responsibility, objectivity and fairness, thus hearing both sides of
the issue. For instance, student writers must not only publish an article about teachers who are enraged
with students, but must also look into the reasons why teachers are enraged, through interview with the
teachers. Remember, the prime cause of a campus paper is to create a campus conducive for learning and
to advance the quality of education.

A Brief History of Campus Journalism

This history of campus journalism is penned by Alixander Haban Escote (August 28, 2008) and is
retrieved from http://socyberty.com/history/a-brief-history-of-campus-journalism-in-the-philippines/.

According to Jesus Valenzuela in the History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands (1933) and
John Lent in the Philippine Mass Communication (1964), the history of campus journalism in the Philippines
started when the University of Santo Tomas published El Liliputiense in 1890.

However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang Pamahayagan (1985)
argued that the history of campus journalism in the country started when the University of the Philippines
published The College Folio, now The Philippine Collegian, in 1910. They also added that The Torch of the
Philippine Normal University, The Guidon of the Ateneo de Manila University, and The Varsitarian of the
University of Santo Tomas were also published two years later.

Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Pena edited The Coconut, the official student publication of
Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was published in 1912 and it is now considered the
first and oldest high school newspaper in the country.
In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union Tab, the first printed
and regularly issued high school newspaper in the country. Since then, high school newspapers came out
one after the other.

Among these high school newspapers were The Pampangan, Pampanga High School, 1925; The
Leytean, Leyte High School, 1925; The Rizalian, Rizal High School, 1926; The Coconut, Tayabas High
School, 1927; The Volcano, Batangas High School, 1927; The Toil, La Union Trade School, 1928; The
Samarinian, Samar High School, 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High School, 1929; The Granary, Nueva
Ecija High School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Tones High School, 1930; and The Cagayan Student
Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.

Functions of Campus Papers

A campus paper may be mimeographed or printed, published or released by an organization or
school whose name or logo appears in the masthead or in the editorial box. The campus paper like any
other media has functions. Harold Spears and C.H. Lawshe Jr. (from
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Functions-Of-a-Campus-Paper-1317897.html), as cited also by Sison et
al. (2012), provide the following campus paper's main functions.
Aid to Students
a. Provides opportunity for interesting writing
b. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers
c. Acts as stimulus to better work
d. Develops students' power of observation and discrimination concerning relative merits of
news articles
e. Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic writing
f. Offers training in organizations, business methods, commercial arts, salesmanship,
bookkeeping and business management
g. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility, and leadership

Aid to School and Community

a. Informs the community of the work of the school
b. Publishes school news
c. Creates and expresses school opinions
d. Makes known the achievements of the school
e. Helps unify the school
f. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities
g. Develops right standard of conduct
h. Provides an outlet for students' suggestions for the betterment of the school
i. Develops better interschool relationship
j. Develops school spirit
k. Develops cooperation between the parents and the school

Other Functions of Campus Papers

Still cited by Simon et al. (2012), here are other functions of the campus paper.
Information Function. This is the function of the news in the campus paper —to inform. Since
information dissemination is the main purpose of the campus paper, this is the function most likely
performed by any campus paper. It gives the readers information concerning the things around the
community and within the school. Examples of the activities include the graduation schedule, the enrolment
procedures, number of enrollees for the semester and other routine and non-routine news in an academic
year.

Opinion Function. Through the editorials and editorial columns, editors have the chance to post
their opinion regarding current events inside the school and the community. The main purpose for this is to
persuade the reader toward a certain point of view. The campus paper, therefore, can stir the emotions and
convictions of the reading public — the members of the academic community.

Education Function. This is one of the primordial functions of a campus paper. Since students and
teachers alike are expected to read the school paper, which showcases topics that may be intensively and
extensively discussed, the reading public i may somehow be educated. Tabooed topics such as sex
education, family planning and the like are sample issues in which a campus paper can be so effective.

Watchdog Function. The school paper serves as the harbinger of truth in the campus. In other
words, the writers are the eyes of the readers to see what is happening in the school and to guard the right
of the young ones.
 Laboratory Function. The school paper, as discussed previously, is a miniature version of the daily
newspaper where all rights and privileges, including concepts and skills in journalism are practiced. With
this, the school paper becomes an avenue of teaching budding journalists. It becomes a training ground for
full-fledged journos someday. In fact, the many campus papers in Manila have become the stepping stones
of the prominent Filipino journalists today. These papers include The Philippine Collegian of the University
of the Philippines, The PNU Torch of the Philippine Normal University, The Varsitarian of the University of
Santo Tomas and others. Neophyte writers pattern their new experience from the existing and past papers.

Documentation Function. The paper also serves as a posterity tool of worthy and must-be-
remembered occasions in the campus. This is why, many school publications writers practice submitting
more than one copy to the campus library and to the archive section so that the paper becomes an
evidence of what transpired in such a semester, a school year or a grading period.

Entertainment Function. As a mini version of the national newspapers, where entertainment section
exists, the school paper likewise showcases feature stories. Main purpose of which is to stimulate the soul
and to feed the brain at the same time. Sample stories in the campus that entertain the readers include the
experiences of a freshman, the most embarrassing moment of a senior, the ghost in Room Sampaguita,
the shoe master along the corridor and others.

Developmental Function. In a developing country like the Philippines, scholastic and commercial
journalism has been given greater and nobler significance. The sources of new journalists are also the
school. Journalists in campus publications are most likely to be the journalists of the future. The young
journalist whose news deals with club activities, school elections and campus activities will eventually
become a better one whose news deal with activities of the nation, national elections and national
concerns. The developmental function of the campus paper does not only have implications on the young
ones themselves but also on the school as a whole. School administrators and staff may reflect their
performance on the school paper and see what improvements must be done.

Parts of the Campus Paper

Whatever the type of paper it is, the parts and sections are similar to one another. Here are the
major sections of a campus paper:
1. front page
2. news page
3. editorial page
4. features page
5. community development page
6. science and technology page
7. sports page

Parts of the Front Page

a. Nameplate. The nameplate is the engraved or printed name, logo or symbol of the
newspaper. More (Alen than not, the nameplate also bears the scope of the publication,
that is, the date when the articles were taken. It also includes the volume and number of
the particular release.
b. Ears. Ears are little boxes in either or both sides of the nameplate. Ears usually contain
advertisements or announcements.
c. Banner (Head). The banner is the principal headline which is usually written in the boldest
and biggest font. It is the title of the most important news of the day. This most important
news is called banner news. The banner runs across the front page.
d. Running Head. The running head is a type of head having two or more lines.
e. Headline. Headline refers to any title of any news.
f. Deck. A deck is a subordinate headline or head which is immediately placed below its
mother head to give more information about it.
g. Lead. Lead refers to the beginning of a news story. This means that a lead could be a
word, a phrase, a sentence or even a paragraph.
h. News Story. The news story is the whole story or a part of the whole story about the news
which is composed of the lead and the text supporting and elaborating the lead.
i. Columns. They are horizontal divisions of the parts or texts of a newspaper. The number of
columns varies from one kind of a paper to another, that is, a newsletter has smaller
number of columns as compared to a broadsheet.
j. Column Rules. Column rules are vertical lines that indicate the divisions of the columns. In
modern journalism, these lines are substituted with a space (a blank column rule). Space
column rules or more formally known as sunken rules and are usually one em wide. With
the advent of digital lay-outing, the printer may adjust the column rule easily and quickly.
k. Fold. It is the imaginary horizontal line that divides the paper into two. The purpose of the
fold is primarily rooted from the lay-outing rule that the fold should not overlay or run
against the banner head. Should the fold run over the banner head, the layout is
considered faulty.
l. Byline. A byline is the signature, name or pseudonym of the reporter who prepared the
news. It can be seen in various forms: by Ruben Balacbac, (Ruben Balacbac), R.
Balacbac, or R.B. One common error in campus paper insofar as writing the byline is
concerned is the inclusion of the colon between the preposition "by" and the name of the
writer. This style is now obsolete. Usually, the colon is deleted, thus, by Ruben Balacbac,
not by: Ruben Balacbac.
m. Box. Any news material enclosed by line rules is a boxed story. In this case, ears are
special types of boxes because they are specially named because of their position.
n. Cut. The cut is a metal plate bearing the newspaper's illustration.
o. Cutline. A cutline is the text accompanying photos or other art works. It is mmonl known as
caption. If the text shows above the photo, it is called over line.
p. Over line. It is a type of cutline written or shown above the photo.
q. Kicker. A kicker is a tagline above but smaller than the headline. It gives stimulating but
small details about the headline, and this is why it is also called teaser.
r. Hammer. A hammer is a type of kicker but the difference is that a hammer is bigger than
the headline.
s. Credit Line. A credit line is a line given to pay respect to the source of the story or
illustration printed. This is done usually for stories or illustrations imported or borrowed
from other printed materials or people. The difference of a byline from a credit line is that a
byline is usually a name, signature or pseudonym of the reporter within the newspaper
staff, but a credit line is used for those which are borrowed or imported. Thus, foreign news
and dateline news often have credit lines.
Parts of the Editorial Page
a. Editorial Proper: The article that is considered to be soul of a newspaper or magazine. It is
an article that gives the conglomeration of opinions of the members of the editorial board
on the hottest issue of the day.
b. Column: A column is a recurring piece or article in the paper. It is primarily written by a
columnist who is well acquainted with the subject. What differentiates a column from other
forms of journalism is that a column meets each of the following criteria:
a) It is a regular feature in a publication.
b) It is personality-driven.
c) It explicitly contains an opinion or point of view.
c. Op-ed: An op-ed, abbreviation of opposite the editorial page (though often believed to be
abbreviated from opinion-editorial), is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a
named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board. These are
different from editorials, which are usually unsigned and written by editorial board
members. Op-eds are so named because they are generally printed on the page opposite
the editorial.
d. Letter to Editor: Letter to the editor sometimes abbreviated LTTE or LTE is a letter sent to
a publication about issues of concern to its readers. Usually, the letter or the letters are
intended for publication. In many publications, letters to the editor may be sent through
either conventional mail or electronic mail. The subject matter of letters to the editor varies
widely. However, the most common topics include:
i. Supporting or opposing an editorial stance, or responding to another writer's
letter to the editor
ii. Commenting on a current issue being debated by a governing body —local,
regional or national depending on the publication's circulation. Often, the writer
will urge elected officials to make their decision based on his or her viewpoint
iii. Remarking on materials (such as a news story) that have appeared in a
previous edition or release. Such letters may be either critical or praising iv.
Correcting a perceived error or misrepresentation

e. Editorial Cartoon. An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is caricature

containing a political or social message that usually relates to current events or
personalities.
f. Folio. Usually written on top of the page, this is composed of the page number, date of
publication and name of the newspaper. Notably, this part runs through all the sections in
the campus paper. Masthead. This is also called flag. It shows the publication's name, the
volume and number of release, the names of the staff and their respective positions.

Sports Page
The sports section of a newspaper features information on local sports events, like high school
sports teams. College level sports are also covered in this section, both on a regional and national level.
Often, sports page in Philippine campus papers accommodate stories about intramurals and relevant
national sports issues. Student writers may consider writing sports analysis, sports editorials,
backgrounder, prophetic sports news and the like.
 As regards reporters on other news beats, sports journalism involves investigating e story, rather
than simply relying on press releases and prepared statements from the sports team, coaching staff, or
players. Sports journalists verify facts given to them by e athletes, teams, leagues or organizations they are
covering.

Selection of the Publication Staff

Notably, there are no hard and fast rules on how to organize the staff and to pick the editors. Each
school should therefore work out a system best suited to its particular set-up.

There are common mind-boggling questions for the publication head or the moderator of the
campus paper like: How are the editors and the staff members chosen? How long should they serve? How
big should the staff be? Should they be paid? To whom are they responsible?

First, there should be a moderator or an adviser who must possess the following qualifications in
the order of their importance, 1) with a degree in journalism -bachelor, master or specialization, or one with
a degree in English — bachelor, master or specialization. 2) with experience in newspaper work or one with
more than ordinary experience in journalism or school paper work. Other schools consider one who
teaches social studies. This set-up is the traditional set-up of picking the adviser or the moderator. The
Campus Journalism Act, has a different basis for choosing the adviser. Selecting an adviser is also optional
for the tertiary level.

For the traditional and beginning campus paper system in the DepEd, the principal or the head of
the school, with the recommendation of the adviser may designate the members of the staff or may pick
them through a competitive examination. The candidates should possess writing ability, leadership and
previous experiences in school publication in such order. Whatever the criteria are in choosing the staff, the
method should be systematic, objective and fair.

Whether the editors and staff members are chosen through recommendation or competitive
examination, the following pointers are recommended:
1. The candidate should have at least one year residence.
2. The candidate should not be in the probation list.
3. He/she must not have any disciplinary case against him/her, because there is a likely chance
for him to drop or to be suspended.
4. The chief, associate, and managing editors should not hold other major positions in school
organizations, especially in the student council or student government. The press is supposed
to be objective and non-partisan.

The most democratic way to select the staff is through a competitive examination followed by an
interview. However, there are certain drawbacks. If there are no qualified teachers who will evaluate the
entries in the competitive examination, the test will not be worthwhile. If a big number of students join the
competition, the evaluation will take a long time. Another question is: In what phases of journalism would
the test be? Newswriting, editorial writing, lay outing, or actual press work? If the test is in editorial writing
only, is not that just one phase of the work? Because of these drawbacks, the adviser resorts to
designation. The drawback here is favoritism.
 The advisers should not rely only on result of the examination. They should also look for people
who did not take the examinations but have writing skills. They should ask them to join the board, but they
should refrain from taking students into the staff who have more activities in their hands than they can
handle. They should be aware of students who only love to see their names in the masthead or editorial
box.

The choice of editors should be based on who obtains the highest average in the examinations and
who possesses the most in personal qualities or traits like leadership, managerial skills, sound judgment
and flexibility. Consequently, advisers should file and publish in the bulletin board the results of the
examinations and the comments of the judges.

How large should the staff be? A manageable staff should not be more than ten, as follows: (1)
chief editor; (2) associate editor; (3) managing editor; (4) feature editor; (5) literary editor; (6) sports editor;
and (7) reporters (one for each class-senior, sophomore, freshman).

There are other members of the staff who may simply be appointed: the typists, the layout artist,
the staff artist, the photojournalist and the circulation manager.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Publication Staff

1. Chief Editor
The chief editor supervises the editorial staff of the paper. Usually, he/ she writes the
editorials of the organ after consultation with the members of the editorial staff. However, any
member may write the editorial so long as he/she follows the guidelines in writing. Further,
he/she edits all articles preparatory to submission of the same to the adviser for final editing
and approval for publication. He/She likewise supervises the preparation of the layout, dummy
of the paper and its pagination in cooperation with the managing editor and layout artist.
He/She also causes the accomplishment of all assignments properly and on time. At times,
he/she acts as the liaison officer between the editorial staff and the adviser, as he/ she also
calls meetings of the staff.

2. Associate Editor
The associate editor edits the articles in cooperation with the chief editor. Also, he/she
may be delegated to write editorials of the organ. He prepares assignments of section editors
in consultation with the chief editor. Further, he/she cooperates in the preparation of the layout
of the paper and paging of the same with the chief editor and the managing editor.

3. Managing Editor
Acting as the hand of the board, the managing editor brings articles to the press for
typesetting. As such, he/she also checks articles for typographical errors. He/She prepares the
layout of the paper and paging of the same in consultation with the chief editor. Finally, he/she
proofreads galley proofs before these are finally approved by the chief editor, then by the
adviser for printing.

4. Circulation Manager
 As the nomenclature suggests, he/she is assigned in ensuring the release and
distribution of the paper. He/She also guarantees the smooth flow of the passing of articles
from reporters to section editors. He/She is assigned to oversee the flow of processes in
crafting the paper.

5. Section Editors
a. News Editor: Assigned as the reporter to cover events relevant to the school activities,
he/she writes news articles on assignment from the chief editor or through his/her own
initiative in consultation with the latter. However, his/her primordial job is to edit all news
articles submitted by the writers preparatory to submission of the same to the chief editor
then to the adviser.
b. Filipino Editor. This is an optional staff function or position; nonetheless, his/her prime job
is to write the editorial of the Filipino section. He/She also edits all articles preparatory to
submission of the same to the Filipino adviser, for final editing and for publication.
Sometimes, he/she causes the submission of all Filipino articles properly and timely.
He/She may likewise act as a liaison officer between the Filipino staff and the chief editor.
c. Feature Editor. The feature editor gives out assignments to feature writers. He/She then
receives and edits feature articles preparatory to the submission of the same to the chief
editor. Sometimes, he/she writes regular articles or column.
d. Exchange Editor. For beginning school paper system, this is an optional function.
Sometimes, the functions of the exchange editor are accomplished by the circulation
manager. Nevertheless, the exchange editor makes up a list of school papers sent by
other schools. He/She is designated to mail copies of own paper to these schools as
he/she also files their papers on a bulletin board or display them on a newspaper rack.
He/She, too, keeps files of school information, such as class lists and lists of members,
homeroom advisers, faculty and staff.
e. Layout Section Editors. They are assigned to cause the assignment of the school's official
photographer to take pictures on school's activities for the month or for a specified time.
They prepare pictorial articles of the organ in consultation with the managing editor and
chief editor. Sometimes, their job is to write the captions of pictures utilized by the paper in
cooperation with the chief editor.
f. Layout Artists. They take charge of designing and formatting of all pages in the paper. As
such, they label or properly identify all pictures made available for publication. It is
suggested that they write using pencil at the back of every picture of the event to which a
particular picture refers. They likewise help in the preparation of the layout of pictorial
stories and make illustrations for feature articles.
g. The Reporters. The life of the contents depends on the skills of the reporters. They secure
the cold and raw facts of an assigned event and write articles out of the same. Moreover,
they receive assignments from the section editors or board of editors and then accomplish
the same properly and timely.

The Publication’s Policies

A well-edited paper needs definite policies which may pertain to what it may print or to what the
staff may conduct. Such policies may be posted on the conspicuous places like the bulletin boards in the
staff room or they may be printed and distributed to the staff.
 Policies are brief statements of the paper's platform or are sometimes printed under the masthead,
as in the following examples:
To support all school projects and to give only constructive criticism of some projects

To maintain a high standard of sportsmanship by avoiding personal enmity and jealousy both
within and outside the school

To refrain from publishing articles which convey wrong impressions against the school, and To
avoid unkind personal jokes, criticisms and caricatures

Main Task
Instruction: Do the given task below. Make sure to follow the instructions given properly. Your output will be
graded based on the rubrics seen in your syllabus (refer to the “Graphic Organizer Rubric”).

TASK 1:

Choose one newspaper. Cut its front page and mount it on a piece of bond paper. Then, label its
parts following the guidelines below.

a. Nameplate
b. Banner Head
c. Banner News
d. Column
e. Column Rule
f. Credit Line
g. Boxed Story
h. Cutline
i. By-line
j. Kicker
 TASK 2:

Interview the members of the school paper or the editorial board. Identify problems they meet in
operating a campus paper.

TASK 3:

Form a group of three. Each member should have one magazine and one newspaper. Using the
criteria below, identify the unique features of the selected magazine and newspaper.

Features Magazine Newspaper

Layout or format

Headlines (titles)

Style of writing

Major objective

Type of readers

Types of pictures

Cost

Distribution schedule

Reinforcement Activity
Instruction: Research on the history of a school’s campus paper. Identify its first year of publication,
transition of names, specific goals, the first adviser, the youngest editor, etc. At the end, you
must have at least 300-word history of the campus paper.
The News: A ODULE

M
III

Backgrounde
r Time Table: 1 hour
Topic Learning Outcomes:

a. Enumerate the characteristics of news

b. Decipher the elements of news
c. Apply elements of news in specific situations

Enabling Activity

Two modules done, more to go! You’re doing great! Now, we are going to discuss one of the most
important parts of a newspaper, and initially where we go through to learn not only about current issues, but
to also educate ourselves with new information – the news. But before that, let’s see what you have
previously learned about the topic, alright?

Fill the K-W-L chart below with what you know about this lesson.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

Deepen!

Understanding News
 News is difficult to define because it has many variables, but one needs to determine what is
newsworthy when deciding what to write about for his or her story assignments.

Try to process this. News must be factual, yet not all facts are news. A news item is based on
actual occurrences, situations, thoughts and ideas, yet not all facts are news. For instance, a dog bites a
typical man. This is not a news for many, but when a typical man bites a dog, this may be newsworthy to
some. Here, the logical nature of news may be drawn, such that, the taste of news depends on the interest
of and impact to the reader.

To attain a wide array of perspectives and meanings about news, the definitions of news according
to Philippine journalism authors are surveyed and are listed below. According to Soriano et al. (2012), a
news is any oral or written report of an event that happened, is happening, will happen in the North, East,
West and South (NEWS) that is of interest to the reader and which should be reported.

From Soriano's definition, three primary considerations in defining news are drawn. First, news is
reported through airwaves and in written form. Second, anything can become news, whether the event is
already done, is being done, or shall still be conducted. Third, the news considers the interest of the reader
in accepting the impact of the news, that is, a news for somebody may not be a news to another person.

Malinao (2008) also attempted to define news by pointing out that news is basically about an event,
idea or a reaction that is presented factually and simply in written form to give the reader an idea of what is
currently happening around him or her, particularly on matters of interest to the community.

This lengthy definition by Malinao (2008) gives the notion that news may include or encompass any
topic including a speech or a simple feedback. Moreover, it stresses that news is generally written and is
based on facts.

Another perspective about news is given by Estrada and Singh (1987). Though the date of
publication may seem to be antiquated for some, for the purpose of tracing the perspective, the definition is
included.

Estrada and Singh opined, "News is a timely factual report of events, ideas or situations interesting
or significant to people. Others define it as literature in a hurry." Estrada and Singh's definition gives an
added perspective on time elements. Literature in a hurry therefore means that news should be publicized
at its freshness. It means that the life span of a news may be so short that it expires right away and that it
can be buried when new angles of the news or topic are broadcast.

Additional viewpoint is also written by Puig and Flores (2005). They posited that news is any
information that is significant to a particular set of readers. Simply put, they qualified news according to its
relevance and interest of the readers.

Another pair of Filipino journalist writers, Soriano and Henson (1999), provides a seemingly
technical definition of news. They inscribed that news is a reportage of accurate facts, events and ideas
that interest a large number of readers. Anything that is refreshed or regenerated is also news. Here, the
definition looks into the newness of idea that responds to the interest of the readers. The definition marries
the idea of immediacy and interest; ergo, the newer the angle of the story, the more interesting it is to the
readers.
 Lastly, Pangilinan (2012) provides another definition which goes, "news is information that has a
meaning for a set of readers." Hence, the bases of all news are facts, interest and readers.

From all the definitions above, news can be coined by stating that it is a timely reportage of events,
regardless of time and manner, which are grounded on facts. It considers nearness, importance, impact
and interest to the public.

News in School Papers

With the concept of news in mind, a student journalist should remember that concerns the school,
its students, the teachers, including the parents is newsworthy.

News in school may include worthwhile or extraordinary acts of students like: opening of a new
college, inauguration of the new building, stories of success, conflicts or suspense, school convocations
and other programs, interviews of visiting personalities, merging of two colleges, increasing tuition and
other fees, new grading system and the like.

Characteristics of a Good News

One can gauge the worthiness of a news by some qualities that emanate from the subject's nature
and functions. The characteristics that are discussed below become one's yardstick to determine whether
an issue is worth publishing or broadcasting. In such sense, when a student writer has a limited space for a
news, he/she tries to weigh the importance of the news that will occupy a space in the paper by
enumerating the attributes of news that are present in both stories. Hence, the more attributes or
characteristics a story has, the more effective it is to become catchy, interesting and worth reading...the
more it becomes appealing to the readers.

1. Timeliness or Immediacy
This characteristic of a news item underscores the newest angle of the story. For instance,
the changing of the grading system which was announced yesterday is more appealing to a
student other than the Christmas party last December. It should be noted, too, that the more recent
the event, the more appealing it is to the reader.

2. Conflict
The physical and mental struggles of persons are also newsworthy. In campus context,
competitions like oratorical contests and quiz bees are newsworthy due to the mental conflicts
present. Sports events during intramurals or foundation days are newsworthy, too, as they have
physical conflicts.

3. Proximity or Nearness
Although proximity primarily refers to geographical location, it likewise means the nearness
of interest and appeal. In the context of writing news in the campus or school for students in
Batanes what is happening to Batanes State College will be of more interest to them than what is
happening to Western Mindanao State University. The imposition of "no cellphone policy" in
Batanes State College will interest the Batanes' readers more than the zero tuition scheme of
Akian State University, so to speak.
4. Accuracy
Journalism is anchored on facts. News writing is a journalistic skill. Therefore, the contents
should be accurately reported. Accuracy primarily refers to the factualness of news as purveyor of
truth.

5. Significance
If something is important to the reader, surely he/she will read the news. Hence, a writer
should survey whatever is significant to the life of the target readers and write about it. When news
is important to him/her, the news bears a high degree of significance, thus, newsworthy and worth
reading. In the campus setting, topics that are highly significant include new rules imposed by the
administration or the student government, amendments to policies, upcoming big events, results of
scholarship screening and the like.

6. Prominence and Names

"The world is unfair," so the adage goes. In this light, there are persons more popular than
others. Popular names can effectuate situations and their acts may be more interesting to others.
Hence, news about these persons can yield a high degree of newsworthiness, thus becoming more
readable than other news. For campus papers, prominent personalities include the president of the
student body, the principal, the student who won in a national competition and the like.

7. Drama
Since news is also anchored on public interest, writers should bank on any story that can
lead the writers to crying or to laughing. Such story is packed with color; thus, subjects are moving.
In this way, the news becomes appealing to the readers. For instance, you write a story of the
student leader who manages to graduate as magna cum laude despite his five-year term as the
College Student Government President.

8. Oddity or Unusualness
Sociology can explain why oddity is a good element of news. A theory explains that when
persons are curious about a phenomenon deviating from a natural course, they will be interested in
such a topic or issue; hence, that topic becomes newsworthy. Looking into the campus situation,
one may write about a forty-year-old student who has just graduated; he has just finished his fifth
bachelor's degree in your college. This unusual situation may be so intriguing as regards the
student's purpose, therefore, becoming more newsworthy to the readers.

9. Romance and Adventure

"Love makes the world go round," so a song says. Hence, stories about love, 9. Romance
and Adventure including adventure, may ignite the taste of the reading public. This is also the
reason why showbiz news continuously booms. Attaining breakthroughs and achieving scientific
discoveries are given much.

10. Progress
Attaining breakthrough and achieving scientific discoveries are given much attention by the
readers. This attribute of the news gives a high degree of shock and a sense of development in the
society where the persons live. Looking into ma be in the form a newly constructed building and a
 school situation, progress may be in the form of newly constructed building and newly donated
laboratory, equipment from alumni abroad.

11. Numbers
For persuasion, statistics or figures have the power to shake the conviction of the
audience. This is why numbers yield a very strong impact on the readers. However, the figures that
one should write should be worth appreciating. For instance, the Alumni Association donated one
computer set last January, while the Parent Teachers Association donated 57 computer sets to the
school. The latter yields a higher degree of newsworthiness than the former. It is not safe to say,
however, that the higher the figure, the higher is its newsworthiness. Say, your school has
performed in the National Achievement Test 50% lower than last year's data. This is a figure lower
than the usual and yet bears a high degree of interest.

Types of News Stories

Here are the following types of news stories according to their classifications.
1. According to Chronology or Sequence
a. Spot News.
As the term suggests, this is a news story that gathers information as it is
broadcast at the same time. Hence, it is unscheduled and demands immediate publication.
In many instances, the reporter becomes the first hand witness to the activity or subject
taking place. For instance, a student journalist happens to be standing at the gate when a
jeepney bumps an education student. He writes the story and publishes it in the weekly
newsletter of the college.

b. Coverage News.
Many interchange spot news and coverage news. Though both of them are good
avenues for firsthand information, the difference between the two is that coverage news is
written based on the given assignment to the reporter or news writer. The assignment is
sometimes called beat. It means that the writer knows what to write about. For example,
the chief editor wants to publish what transpires in the academic meeting, so he assigns,
Jessica, a writer to cover the meeting. Jessica knows what she shall write about and shall
be concentrated only on the meeting, thus, her beat. c. Advance News. When a writer
crafts news about an upcoming event, say, meeting de avance of running student leaders,
change of opening of classes for the next academic year and an announcement of new
uniforms to take effect next semester, he/she actually writes an advance news. In advance
stories, writers' skills in creating many new perspectives on a subject are tested so as to
create climax when the event happens. Sometimes, series stories are created with one or
two reporters guarding the newest angles of the event or situation. -d. Follow-up News.
While advance news is predictive, follow-up news looks into the upshot to an event or
situation. For instance, a reporter wrote a news about the imposition of the new uniform
effective this semester, then in the next issue he shall write on the ideas and comments of
the students about the new uniform, or the problems they now meet.

2. According to Range and Reach

a. Local News: This is a news item. The subject of which happens in one's own community
where the paper originates. For instance, The Builders, the official student organ of
 Batanes State College, covers the installation of the underground electrification system in
the province; the news is said to be a local news since it is about the province itself.
b. National News: Countrywide news is called national news. It is determined when the news
impacts the people of a certain country. Most national news is published in the dailies.

c. Foreign News: All news items which trace their origin from outside the boarders of the
country are called foreign news. Some foreign news articles also create impact to typical
locals due to their domino effect like the oil price hike in the world market.

d. Dateline News: An out-of-town news story. This news is introduced by a dateline which
states the place from which the story was reported, the date, and the source of the
material if not written by the local staff.

3. According to Construction
a. Straight News. The first paragraph answers the most important W (what, where, when,
why, who) depending on which of the W's is the most prominent among them. Its body
paragraphs consist of the elaboration on the W's and the H. It is written using the inverted
triangle structure.

Example:
Thirty-four barangay officials are now more familiar with the ins and outs of good governance after
undergoing various activities during the capability building seminar and training at Community Outreach
Center on February 18, 2014. (Presentation of Who)

The participants coming from barangays Sta. Maria, Magapit and Paranum were lectured on the
rules of parliamentary procedure by Prof. Edmond A. Usal, CA dean; Katarungang Pambarangay Law by
Mr. Sherwood Gayodan, CA faculty; Internet literacy through Mrs. Mary Jane B. Habon; and preparation of
Memorandum of Agreement and minutes of meeting by Prof. Gemma R. Pascual, CTE faculty.
(Elaboration of Who)

After the discussion, the participants were given workshops like demonstrating parliamentary
procedures and making an actual Memorandum of Agreement. (Additional information about what the
"who" did)

Meanwhile, in her welcome remarks, Dr. Leonita P. Garcia underscored the need for cooperation
among the barangay officials and the campus administration to materialize the goals of the institution.
(Least information about another "who')

b. News Feature. This special type of news should not be confused with the feature articles
(features). News feature is sometimes called special features and printed in the features
sections of the newspapers or in the magazines. Human interest and news-feature stories
are classified as news since both are gathered and written daily by reporters as their
regular assignments. Furthermore, both emphasize the elements of timeliness or
immediacy which distinguish news from other types of reading, although they differ in
important respects from the straight news story.
Example:
Love is in the air, indeed, in the Batanes State College as cut outs of hearts are in a riot of
multicolored lights and decors hung upon everywhere and even, way.

However, the "Feb-ibig" celebration reached its climax when the traditional promenade participated
in by students, teachers, parents, community and even barangav members was conducted at the Aquino
Grandstand, February 14.

To make the occasion more symbolic and relevant, students also had a "hearts.: lantern parade"
capped with ballroom dances.

(1) Single-Feature or One-Incident Story. It may be an account of a speech, an interview, an election,

that deals with an isolated event. In writing a news-feature story with this kind of structure, include
the one-feature id the lead. Add in the body details which clarify and explain the lead. See that the
story breaks logically at every paragraph and that the story may be cut if lengthened as space
dictates.

(2) The Several-Feature, Multiple-Angle or Composite Story. In a composite story, two or more
divergent aspects of a news topic are drawn together for the sake of space and coherence. In
structure, the composite story may resemble that of a follow-up story in that both of them aim to
consolidate component parts. However, they differ in the sense that the follow-up story ends in a
tie-in with a past story; whereas, the composite story is composed of units, each one made up of
fresh spot news frequently with reference to the future. In writing, the several-feature or composite
story, include all of the features in a comprehensive lead in the order of their importance. The next
step is Lead to explain and elaborate in the body each of the features in the order which they are in
the lead. In doing this, relegate less important details of each feature to less important positions.
But remember that each chain of facts although covered separately should be handled as a single,
unified story.

Lead Angle

Summary of Other Angles

Details of
Lead
Angles

More
Details
 More
c. Fact Story Details
This is plain exposition of a simple situation of a series of closely related events
which conform to the inverted triangle design more closely than any other kinds of news.
The component parts are the series of facts that may be likened to rectangles of
diminishing length arranged one after the other in order of their importance. The key to
proper arrangement consists solely in judging the relative value of the data at hand and in
grouping them in their respective order.

Example:
"The campus student population this semester totals to 1,814. That marks 11.63% increase as
compared to 1603 total head count during the semester last year."

This was the statement of Mr. Leslie A. Panaligan, campus registrar, when the Innovator staff
inquired about the student headcount of the campus.

The registrar said that the campus population has been dramatically increasing for the past years
based on the data recorded in his office.

"Based on our record, the campus is continuously welcoming students with 5 to 15 percent range
increase every year, and this semester notches almost 12 percent hike," Mr Panaligan mentioned.

Showing the summary of enrolment, he pointed out that among the five colleges of the campus,
the College of Agriculture has the highest number of enrolees with a total of 590 students.

Trailing behind the biggest college is the College of Teacher Education with 531 students enroled
in its BSEd and BEEd programs.

The College of Information and Computing Sciences followed with 360 headcount while the
College of Hospitality Industry Management trailed next taking supervision of the 263 BSHIM students.

Although still the smallest college, the College of Arts has 70 students remarkably far from its 55
students during the same term last year.

"Such increase is attributed to the cooperation of everyone in scouting students to enrol in the
offered programs or courses of the campus. The continuous career guidance held every second semester
is also a great help," the campus registrar declared when asked about the reason why such percentile hike
is attained this semester.

Source: Jenerwin M. Columna from The Innovator November 2013

d. Action Story
This is a narrative involving not merely simple facts but dramatic actions —
incidents, description of persons, perhaps testimonies of witness, as well as explanatory
data. In reading this kind of story, first write a summarizing lead in any appropriate form.
Relate the most important details in narrative or chronological form. Tell the story again by
 giving more details. But be careful not to begin the chronological order just after beginning.
Give sufficient attention to the elaboration of important information, background and
interpretation. Each unit must be closely interlocked.

Example:
Mobilizing its destructive forces built into an empire fortifying its impenetrable stronghold, the AB
Political Science-Agriculture Team, known as Mighty A's, wreaked havoc frightening and sending its foes to
their knees to capture the trophy for the over-all champion in sports for this year's intramurals.

After the three gruelling days that started September 21, mighty A's rallied its way to victory with a
comfortable lead after amassing a total of 66 gold.

Trailing far behind was Fearless Technocrats with 54 gold, followed by the once-formidable Titans
of the College of Education as third placer having hauled only 51 gold; landing on the fourth are the
Memory Makers of HIM.

The winning team dominated other competing teams in softball, baseball, athletics, badminton, and
sepak takraw and was adjudged Most Disciplined Team and Best in Booth.

Asked about team's stratagem in winning, Jackilou Berbano, College of Agriculture Student
Government (CASG) Mayor, and Jomar Abadilla, Political Science Club president, said they attribute their
success to the concerted efforts of the agriculture and political science students and faculty, who were
always at their back to uphold them in every game.

Meanwhile, the Memory Makers of the Hospitality Industry Management (HIM) defended its throne
in the Literary-Musical Contest as it garnered four gold in vocal solo, vocal duet, and song writing contest.
The Titans of the College of Education also prevailed in the academic competitions with nine gold
reaped in almost all contested activities.

Further, Ferdinand Bulusan, BSE-IV student, was declared Hall of Famer in oration for being a
tree-time and two-time champion in oration in the campus and in the university, respectively.

All winning students will represent the campus in the university meet to be held at CSU Carig on
November 23-25, 2011.

Source: The Innovator of CSU Lal-lo November 2011

e. Speech, Report, Quote, and Interview Stories

The arrangements of a speech report, a quote story and of an interview are to
great extent similar. The quote story may be charted as alternating large and small
rectangles of diminishing size: summary, quote, summary, quote, summary arrangement.
The quotations may be direct, indirect, or a combination of both.
In writing this kind of story, the following suggestions may be helpful:
1. Write a summarizing lead in any appropriate form.
2. Write the body of the story in a summary-quote-summary arrangement.
 3. The lead may be a summarizing statement — the gist of the speech,
statement, letter, or interview; or it may be the most important quotation in the
story written as direct quote.
Example: Quote Story
"A little pain, a life to gain."

This was the statement of Mr. Joeffrey Usabal, one of those who attended the Bloodletting activity
held at Aladino M. Dupaya Sr. Gymnasium, Centro, Lal-lo, Cagayan, August 4.

"It was a very noble undertaking and I am very happy to be a part of it. That single pain I felt is truly
nothing when I compare the effect of it to the sick people of the community," Mr. Usabal continued as
showed a small prick in his hand.

Themed with "Every Blood Donor is a Hero", the bloodletting activity is simultaneous to the
launching of the WE CARE Program of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo during the celebration of 433'1
Patronal Town Fiesta held last August 2014.

Led by the Municipal Nutrition Committee, the whole-day activity was attended by various blood
donors including qualified students of Cagayan State University at Lal-lo.

"It is a way of realizing our desire to help save lives in danger. Truly, a single bag of blood
wholeheartedly shared is worth of life," he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Prof Rogelio T. Tamayo, campus executive officer, thanked the student donors for
their willingness to help.

"It was not just a show of help to the activities of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo, but it was
actually a way for CSUL students to realize the real value of sharing and saving lives through donating
blood," he added. "We hope that the desire of our students to help and participate in such kind of activity
will not end. The spirit of helping others is one of those things I want to inculcate to you [students], so keep
it up," the CEO disclosed.

Source: Kristal Faith Pagaduan, The Innovator November 2014

Example: Speech Report Story

"I am deeply honored to receive this resolution of commendation... but I know, I just did this for the
betterment of the campus."

This is the statement of Dr. Perfecto V. Vivit, campus executive officer of CSU Lal-lo, after
receiving a resolution of commendation from the municipality of Calayan for his full commitment and
immediate approval in the cacao partnership project of the Cacao Growers Cooperative and the campus.

According to Mr. Tito Maquiraya, one of the councilors of the municipality of Calayan, their town is
very grateful for the approval of the project since most of the members of the cooperative come from
Calayan.
.
 Moreover, a large number of cacao seedlings will come from their municipality which contributes in
the promotion of the town's production.

"Hindi lang yan, isang malaking garantiya kasi ang binigay ng campus ninyo, of course, sa
pangunguna ni Dr. Vivit, kaya talagang sukdulan ang pasasalamat ng aming bayan," Mr. Maquiraya added.

Asked about his main objective of approving the project, Dr, Vivit said that it was just practical for
the campus to make good production rate and the project was a large key.

"In fact, this is a win-win project; we help them, they help us. The production that we will get from
the project will surely be very useful to elevate quality education and to improve learning facilities," Vivit
disclosed.

Source: Ferdinand Bulusan November 2013

4. Minor News Forms

a. News Brief. This is a short item of news interest, written like a brief, telegraphic message.
It gives mainly the result with few details.
b. News Bulletin. It is similar to the lead of a straight news story. Its aim is just to give the gist
of the news.
c. News Featurette. This is a short news feature usually used a fillers, say, quirks in the
news.
d. Sidebar. It is a news item or a feature placed side by side its mother story to which it is
related but under a headline of its own.
e. Flash. This is a message giving first brief news of an event. It is usually boxed.

Main Task
Instruction: Do the given task below. Make sure to follow the instructions given properly. Your output will be
graded based on the rubrics seen in your syllabus (refer to the “Graphic Organizer Rubric”).

TASK 1:

In the shapes, write the characteristics of good news or the elements of news and give one-
sentence definition for each element. Illustrate your answer in a bond paper and write your
explanations in a separate bond paper.

Characteristics
of Good News
TASK 2:

Write TRUE when the statement is factual and FALSE when it is erroneous. Write your answer in
the comment section below this task.

1. Anything can become newsworthy as long as it is based on facts. Hence, what may be news to
one is news to all.
2. Weighing newsworthiness depends solely on the importance of the topics, interest of the
readers and length of the news article.
3. Proximity is an element of good news. It refers to geographical nearness and impact of the
news to the readers.
4. Ensuring that all names are correctly spelt in a newspaper is a reflection of accuracy and
conflict in the news.
5. Numbers that are higher than the normal situation bear the sole authority to create good
element in news.
6. Although all news articles are grounded on facts, they have various categories.
7. Foreign news is a type of news item. It is about a happening outside one’s country, thus
unimportant to read.
8. A coverage news and spot news are similar news stories that are good avenues for
secondhand information.
9. A straight news exposes the facts according to their importance, while speech story arranges
the facts in chronological order.
10. News briefs, action stories, and news flashes are samples of short and special types of news.

TASK 3:

Identify the news element that is reflected in each of the issues below. Write your answer in the
comment section below this task.

1. Car accident in front of the Batanes State College main gate.

2. Procurement of 12 computer units each school year
3. Ground-breaking ceremony of two-storey audio-visual building
4. A twenty-four-year-old lesbian becomes the youngest Philippine President.
5. The love affair of Angelica Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz
6. Number of casualties in the car accident
7. Joan Garcia, 52, a widow and mother of 12 graduated cum laude last school year.
8. The college president just signed a memorandum to move the graduation from March to
February 28.
9. Slogan-making contest and cookfest in HRM laboratory
10. A differently-abled student wins in oration after practicing the piece for more than a month.
 Reinforcement Activity
Instruction: From any school paper, preferably from other institutions, clip two news stories that deal with
classroom activities and survey the articles according to the matrix below.

HEADLINE WRITER NEWS ELEMENT/S TYPE OF NEWS